Thomas Franzen a Chicago-based man with cancer was serving four years in prison after ordering 19 kg of dagga-infused chocolate for self-medication.

Franzen was released Monday from the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill after Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker officially commuted the sentence.

Franzen’s attorney David Camic said the man’s family was thrilled about his release.

Associated Press noted that U.S. Postal Service workers had noticed questionable packages routinely being delivered to Franzen and opened one in February 2014 that contained the THC-infused chocolate. 

Franzen has battled several forms of cancer since he was in high school, Camic said, adding that he used dagga to self-medicate. Franzen had been diagnosed with testicular cancer that spread to his abdomen, both lungs, around his aorta and a vocal cord. 

Franzen’s family said his health was deteriorating while behind bars for the last nine months and noted that he didn’t receive proper medical care. The family’s concerns about Franzen’s health increased amid the coronavirus pandemic. At least one person at the Stateville prison has tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

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